Abstract: Systems and methods for automating the extraction of oil from an oil well, especially low production orphan wells. The system includes an endless loop pump extending into the oil well; a rotational drive motor operably connected to the loop pump; a transfer pump for conveying petroleum product away from the endless loop pump; a microprocessor controller for controlling the rotational drive motor and transfer pump; a number of sensors for sending operational measurements to the microprocessor indicative of the operational characteristics of the rotational drive motor; a collection reservoir for gathering the petroleum product from the endless loop pump; and a liquid level sensor for sending a level measurement to the microprocessor indicative of the level of the petroleum product in the collection reservoir. The system includes a variable sheave-pulley configuration and arrangement as well as complete local and remote system monitoring and reporting.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method that allows a calling party to call a destination number and, upon approval of the called party, reverse the billing of the telephone call so that it is deducted from an account owned and maintained by the called party other than the account associated with the destination number. The method of the present invention includes the steps of receiving a predetermined access number from a calling party; prompting for a destination number; notifying a called party of the call they are receiving; allowing the called party to accept the call and enter a number associated with an account other than the telephone service account of the destination telephone number; verifying the account number and whether the account has sufficient value available; completing the telephone call to the destination number; and processing the charges associated with the call to be charged against the account.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method of affecting inmate behavior within a correctional facility through providing discount telephone calling rates to inmates who qualify for the discounted rates based on predetermined criteria, such as inmate good behavior. The method of the present invention comprises the steps of providing an identification for each inmate, establishing qualifying criteria for a discount telephone rate, and reducing the telephone call charge rate for inmates that meet the qualifying criteria.

Abstract: An improved watering/irrigation control system for use in conjunction with automatic domestic lawn and plant watering systems and/or automatic agricultural irrigation systems that utilizes historical rainfall data and/or predictive rainfall data or restrictive watering data for a determination of when standard timed periodic irrigation or watering operations should be interrupted or withheld given the existence of sufficient rainfall already on the ground or a sufficient likelihood that such rainfall will occur within a predetermined period of time such that the normal watering or irrigation cycle is made unnecessary.

Abstract: A telephone display which can be programmed from a remote site. A standard pay telephone is equipped with a modem, processor, and memory storage devices whereby it can receive a character string transmitted over telephone lines from a remote programming site. The processor displays messages embedded in the character string on a display panel attached to the telephone booth, and optionally on an interior display panel removed from the telephone booth. The character string has format controls for displaying the messages, and may also have clock commands for displaying certain messages at certain times of the day. A priority message is flashed on the display panel whenever the telephone handset is removed from its cradle.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the in situ examination of earth formations penetrated by a borehole to ascertain the optimum location along the length thereof for instituting well stimulation operations or, where the well is cased, the optimum location for perforating the casing. The method utilizes natural gamma ray logging to determine the optimum locations with the natural gamma ray radiation of the earth formation surrounding the borehole measured and the total measurement then separated into potassium-40, uranium, and thorium energy-band signals. A differential value is derived by subtracting the energy-band signal for either potassium or thorium from the energy-band signal for uranium, with the differential thereafter compared to a energy-level standard having a preselected magnitude. The optimum locations for perforating and/or instituting well stimulation operations will be those zones in which the differential exceeds the preselected energy level standard.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the in situ examination of earth formations penetrated by a borehole to ascertain the optimum location along the length thereof for instituting well stimulation operations or, where the well is cased, the optimum location for perforating the casing. The method utilizes natural gamma ray logging to determine the optimum locations with the natural gamma ray radiation of the earth formation surrounding the borehole measured and the total measurement then separated into potassium-40, uranium, and thorium energy-band signals. A differential value is derived by subtracting the energy-band signal for either potassium or thorium from the energy-band signal for uranium, with the differential thereafter compared to a energy-level standard having a preselected magnitude. The optimum locations for perforating and/or instituting well stimulation operations will be those zones in which the differential exceeds the preselected energy level standard.